Listen, nobody likes Mondays and a few of us rarely look forward to the start of the work week. While these feelings were present before a worldwide pandemic brought everything to a standstill, a new study has found that COVID may have made people even more anxious about Monday mornings.
COVID-19 and The Sunday Scaries
Have you ever found yourself relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, only to then glimpse at the clock and realize that you have a few hours before Monday morning?
The term “Sunday scaries” refers to the feeling of stress and anxiety that sets in during Sunday evenings when you realize that you’re just hours from the start of another workweek.
Now, while this feeling is normal, especially since weekends seem to be getting shorter, a new study has found that thanks to the pandemic, more and more people are experiencing Monday morning dread.
Monday Morning Anxiety
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LinkedIn did a survey on 3000 Americans, and they found that:
- 66% of respondents feel anxious or stressed on Sundays.
- 41% of respondents feel that COVID-19 either caused the Sunday scaries or made them worse.
- 31% of male workers said that the pandemic was the main cause of their first-ever experience with the Sunday scaries
- 78% of survey respondents that were either Gen Z or millennials both reported dealing with stress on Sundays.
Do I hate my job?
Not necessarily.
“The Sunday scaries are not necessarily a sign that you need to leave your job or change careers,” said Catherine Fisher, a LinkedIn Career job expert, to Fox News. “A few things you can do proactively to help you feel excited to get back to work include building an action plan on Sunday night, so you can hit the ground running on Monday morning or planning something to look forward to on Monday, like a virtual coffee date with a favorite colleague.”
How can I deal with the Sunday Scaries?
- Relax: This means that you shouldn’t spend your day doing chores or planning for the week ahead. Rather, take a long bath and indulge in a good book.
Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
- Have fun: Sundays aren’t just for relaxing. Planning a day out with friends or a day in with a glass of wine and friends can be a great way to lift your mood and leave you feeling better about the week ahead.
- Sunday night routine: Routines provide a sense of control, and they can help us unwind. Having a Sunday night routine can be a great way to destress, and it’ll also help you sleep better.
- Identify your triggers: Asking yourself why you’re so anxious about Mondays can help you deal with the issue. Is it your job? Is it the fear of being late? Do you just hate traffic?
- Treat yourself on Mondays: Starting off your week with a treat is sure to make you feel better about the start of the workweek. Enjoy a blueberry muffin in the morning or order from your favorite restaurant for lunch.
- Ask for help: If you feel that you’re not coping because of your workload, then don’t shy away from asking for help.”It’s OK to ask for help,” Fisher said. “Spend some time brainstorming challenges and possible solutions to discuss with your manager, who may be able to help things feel more manageable.”
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